Stack Applauds Passage of Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill

HARRISBURG, JULY 29, 2009 — The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved legislation that would extend unemployment compensation benefits for Pennsylvanians, according to state Sen. Mike Stack.

“Tens of thousands of unemployed citizens were counting on us to pass this legislation and get them the extended benefits they truly need,” Stack said. “I’m pleased that the Senate recognized the urgency to get this measure passed.”

House Bill 1770 would make technical changes to Pennsylvania law to allow Pennsylvania to qualify for $145 million in federal aid that would pay for extended benefits for the affected workers. The measure would extend the unemployment compensation benefits by seven weeks. The bill received nearly unanimous passage in the House of Representatives, but had stalled in the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

Following the recent news that 17,000 Pennsylvanians — including 4,100 from Philadelphia — lost their unemployment compensation benefits, Stack last week joined numerous Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House, along with Gov. Ed Rendell, at a Capitol press conference to urge swift movement on this legislation.

“Despite the ongoing budget negotiations, this matter deserved our immediate attention, too,” Stack said. “While we are working to solve our fiscal deficit, we also must take care of the people who need us now, and House Bill 1770 gives us the opportunity to help unemployed men and women stay afloat a little longer while they seek employment.”

The bill, which would be enacted retroactively as of July 1, now goes back to the House for consideration.

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